Another extremely beautiful and rewarding day trip takes you to Guadix. The most interesting feature of
the Guadix area is that many of the inhabitants of this large town live underground, in the southern part of
the town, in what are known as Cave houses. The jagged ochre terrain and the dazzling whitewashed
chimneys and doors of the caves contrast dramatically with the snow-covered peaks of the Sierra Nevada,
which loom above. The cave district is signposted on the main street of the town as the “Barrio
Troglodyte”.
You can drive through the cave area, but you should also get out and take a stroll. The “troglodytes” very
friendly people and are also very house-proud, or “cave-proud”. If you show an interest in their homes,
you will be sure to be invited in to have a look. Ever since the Moorish times, the Andalucians have been
fond of living underground because it is the best way of escaping the summer heat waves, and don’t be
surprised if you are invited in to have a look around. Most of today’s cave-dwellings are well-appointed,
like any other Spanish home, and some are even quite luxurious, with marble floors, fitted kitchens, faxes
and internet connections. Purullena, a nearby village, has a disco inside a cave!
The area is famous for its hand-crafted earthenware, which is sold on the roadside in the nearby village of
Purullena.
The fascinating Castle of the Calahorra in the village of La Calahorra, just a few miles to the East. This
impressive fort was awarded to a Christian knight for his role in the Reconquest, and fitted by him with a
gracious Renaissance courtyard made of Italian marble and by Florentine craftsmen. To get there, leave
Guadix in the direction of Almería on N-324. You will soon be treated to the spectacular view of the
round towers of the castle framed against the towering Sierra Nevada, which so often features in
photographs and posters.
Only about 20 ks from Calahorra you ́ll reach the pass of Puerto de la Ragua, with the feel of a Tyrolian
pass road!
Located within the Parque Nacional de la Sierra Nevada, halfway between Granada and Almería, the
Puerto de la Ragua is a natural frontier between Alpujarra and El Marquesado del Zenete. From its
altitude of 2,000 metres it dominates the surroundings, embracing the basin of Adra, the beaches of
Almería, the plateau of El Marquesado, the natural parks of Cabo de Gata, Baza, Mágina, Huétor and
Cazorla, and up as far as the summits of the Sierra Nevada. The ski slopes are surrounded by pines, so
you can enjoy nature whilst doing sport.
Go down the other side into the Eastern Alpujarra, the first village you come to is Laroles, depending on
time, you can go back home a slower version via villages like Mairena, Mecina Bombaron or Berchules
or go the faster road via Ugíjar and Cádiar.
This fascinating day trip you can easily make from all our holiday rentals in Andalucia, La Cueva, El
Garzopo and La Rueda.